Daniel Smith can continue seeking the Democratic nomination for the 12th District House of Representatives seat after a challenge to his petition was denied Thursday.

Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Judge Patricia McCullough on Thursday denied the challenge to Smith’s petition, which was filed earlier this month by Democrats Kevin Costello and Rizwan Mahmood, according to court documents. In it, they called into question more than 45 of the 300 signatures on Smith’s campaign filings. Smith needed 300 signatures from registered Democrats in the state’s 12th Legislative District to seek the House seat currently held by Republican Daryl Metcalfe.

Following a hearing last week in Pittsburgh, Smith had 299 approved signatures. That left two outstanding challenges for McCullough to decide, which threatened Smith’s ability to seek the Democratic nomination.

In her ruling Thursday, McCullough denied the motion and directed the Secretary of the Commonwealth to certify Smith as a candidate. Additionally, she ordered Costello and Mahmood to bear the cost of the stenographer, with the rest of the costs involved in the case being paid for by the individual parties.

Attorneys for both sides could not immediately be reached Thursday evening, nor could Smith.

Smith of Adams Township is seeking the Democratic nomination in the race, running against Honora Rockar. At speaking events earlier this month, Smith made it clear he believes Metcalfe is behind these petition challenges. “I feel honored that he took me as a threat, to challenge my and not my primary opponent’s (petitions),” Smith said Wednesday. “I look forward to moving on in the campaign and to give this district a new direction and focus on local issues.”

Metcalfe did not return calls seeking comment this week.